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UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive start to life under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's punch output seemingly secured him a majority decision in a tight 10-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.

But Parker landed significant shots, landing some telling individual punches in a contest where the styles didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching marring the action.

Two judges scored it 96-94 for to the winner, with the third a 95-95.

"It wasn't my greatest showing but what do champions do? They succeed," the victor said in the ringside as he was greeted with disapproval from the crowd.

The Londoner bounced back after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with his previous opponent in February - to earn a 20th pro success.

Various analysts thought Parker, thirty-one, should have been awarded the victory but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second loss of his 28-bout career.

Buatsi Claims Triumph in Uneventful Affair

His career development has stalled in the past few years through promotional disputes and long spells of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the next star of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what feels like a last chance - under fresh management.

He started carefully, with the two boxers prepared to be aggressive in a tentative initial rounds.

Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand mid-fight, was participating in his second fight at light-heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had made it competitive, making life awkward for Buatsi, who utilized a tight guard to narrowly win the cleaner periods.

The audience's tolerance diminished because of constant clinching, with the challenger falling to the floor several times during close exchanges.

Parker finished the stronger, but many rounds were hard to judge. However, ex-champion Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, giving Buatsi just one round.

The victor advances, but with the presence of power puncher David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still appears challenging.

Ricky Hatton Memorial Inspires Local Rivalry Fight

In the supporting bout, Arthur defeated Rea by close verdict in a excellent all-Manchester contest to secure the continental championship.

The stadium became quiet for a profoundly moving memorial prior to the bout as a bell ceremony rang in honor of local hero Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in September.

It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the location since Hatton's death. As the last bell ended, the quiet transitioned to a shout of "only one Hatton".

The fighting within the ring equaled the feeling. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a significant blow flush on the jaw in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his position on the count of eight.

But the red-colored attire of the fighter soon came forward again. From the other corner, the opponent - in opposing blue - was injured quickly, heavy swelling forming under his face as the duo traded punishing blows.

The challenger, 27, landed power punches but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the pace seldom decreased over twelve rounds.

The victor narrowly won the result with official scores of 114-114, close margin and 115-112, but each competitor were relentless and brave, all the qualities their idol Hatton stood for.